I had a relapse several weeks ago and fell low for a short spell. Having pursued recovery and healing for well over a decade, I have achieved total trust in the Lord and, therefore, do not fear a relapse. My pursuit of healing has also been my pursuit of the Lord. Seeking healing and recovery, to me, means seeking Jesus.
When I fall, I turn to the Lord immediately, and He pulls me closer to Him and the joy He brings to my heart blossoms. My love for Him grows. My appreciation for His grace abounds. What is so totally awesome about it all is that His presence becomes so powerful, and I feel like I can reach out and touch Him. It takes my breath away. How can I fear relapse when relapse throws me right into His arms where I belong? "I will not fear."
When I fall, I turn to the Lord immediately, and He pulls me closer to Him and the joy He brings to my heart blossoms. My love for Him grows. My appreciation for His grace abounds. What is so totally awesome about it all is that His presence becomes so powerful, and I feel like I can reach out and touch Him. It takes my breath away. How can I fear relapse when relapse throws me right into His arms where I belong? "I will not fear."
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
(Psalms 23: 4)
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
(Psalms 23: 4)
Thy Rod and Staff:
To assist them in their work Shepherds had two tools they used. The 23rd Psalm mentions them: a rod and a staff. What in the world are they? In general the rod was used for protecting the sheep, and the staff was used for guiding wayward sheep back to the right path.
The rod was often times a straight stick, like a walking stick we would use today, and was used for beating away wolves and other predatory animals that saw sheep as their next meal.
The staff was a long stick with a crook in it, or hook, so that a sheep's head could be grab and led back to the right path. Good shepherds were very good at using both of these tools to protect and guide the flock they were tending to.
To assist them in their work Shepherds had two tools they used. The 23rd Psalm mentions them: a rod and a staff. What in the world are they? In general the rod was used for protecting the sheep, and the staff was used for guiding wayward sheep back to the right path.
The rod was often times a straight stick, like a walking stick we would use today, and was used for beating away wolves and other predatory animals that saw sheep as their next meal.
The staff was a long stick with a crook in it, or hook, so that a sheep's head could be grab and led back to the right path. Good shepherds were very good at using both of these tools to protect and guide the flock they were tending to.
